CAFACA has been approved for phase 2 in the European Commission’s Climate-KIC for the most promising European entrepreneurships start-ups with a focus on climate change. The Climate-KIC program consist of three phases.

In December we produced our first annual report, to our very first customer, DanChurchAid (DCA) who bought offsets in late 2013. We are proud to announce DCA then entered a contract for the year 2014 and even entered an agreement for further two years. This is of significance to us, not least because DCA itself is working on the issues of CAFACA; climate change and poverty alleviation. They have an extensive field programme in Cambodia.

CAFACA prepared its first report for customer who bought carbon in 2013. We wanted to produce a good report, but also to complete and test our methods for doing so. As many other aspects of CAFACA, we develop and learn, all the time.

August 6 CAFACA visited some farmers’ associations in Kampot province, Chhouk district. They were meeting about this season’s planting of trees. The eminent ambassador for CAFACA, Mr. Sophal, facilitated the meeting. He recently stepped down after serving his maximum term of eight years as president of Farmer and Nature Network (FNN). FNN is the national organisation for the 1.500 farmers’ associations.

Present at the meeting were representatives of four associations already affiliated with CAFACA, as well as two associations, who consider joining. Mrs. Sareoum, who is district vice-governor and responsible for environmental issues, children and women, was present too. She is a very actively supporting CAFACA.

When CAFACA sells carbon in the trees planted by farmers, it is good to know exactly how much carbon is in each tree. In order to do so, one needs to know the volume of the tree and how it increases as the tree grows. The curve one can draw of volume over time is known as a ‘growth curve’. This is well known for some tree species often used in plantations. But for the species preferred by ‘our’ farmers, they are not known. So far we therefore, consciously, estimate very conservatively, how much carbon is in the trees.

Today we conducted a planning meeting in the Ba Phnom District. It is located off Highway 1, leading from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam.

CAFACA has contracted Mr. Sovanara to contact people in the district about planning of tree planting the year. He previously worked for CEADC as community facilitator, and is also a retired local policeman. So he knows most people and most people know him.

Rithea started the meeting by introducing CAFACA. The main monk, Mr. Chea Sokret head of the Chea Sokret temple loves trees and the temple already planted many trees. But he did not quite get the concept of selling carbon. Maybe it was something about planting trees and later cut them down to make boxes? The deputy director, Mr. Yi Sarouen of Ba Phnom High Scholl then explained about photosynthesis, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen etc. (He is biology-teacher and that shows..)

In February 17-19, 2014, CAFACA, in collaboration with CEDAC, conducted a 3-days Orientation and Training to farmers about the CAFACA Business model and about Tree Nursery & Planting. There were 46 participants from 6 provinces. They are members of Farmer Association Committees, Representatives of Local Authorities and Community Field Assistants of CEDAC.

In December 2013 we had our first paying customers. They are the Danish NGO DanChurchAid (DCA) and the Climate Office of the Danish Lutheran Church. The form bought 1160 tons and the latter 12 tons, to offset CO2 emitted during staff travels. DCA has a long-term presence in Cambodia working on rural development, rights of marginalised groups and other development issues.